Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: What’s Driving The New Covid Vaccine Hesitancy?; Project 2025 Would Outlaw Mifepristone
Editorial writers discuss vaccine hesitancy, reproductive health care, telehealth, and more.
After Slashing Its Price, Novo Nordisk Discontinues Levemir Insulin In US
Last March, Novo reduced the list price of Levemir by 65%, but USA Today says that American diabetes patients who’ve benefited from this price drop (and other price caps) are set to be disappointed because the drug is being withdrawn from sale. Novo has not said it will do so in other countries.
Infectious-Disease Experts Say WHO’s Covid Guidelines Could Harm People
Health experts told CIDRAP that the new guidelines that are meant to protect health care workers and patients might actually put them at risk. For example, they said, the guidelines “suggest using symptoms to screen people” despite current knowledge about asymptomatic transmission. The guidelines also still adhere to “droplet dogma” instead of airborne spread, they said, and do not fully acknowledge that N95 respirators offer better protection than surgical masks.
Chicago-Based IMX Becomes First Health Care Futures Exchange
Trading is expected to begin in the first half of 2024, Crain’s Chicago Business reports. Meanwhile, Penn Medicine abandoned plans to purchase Tower Health’s Brandywine Hospital; the White House AI Council meets today; an AI-designed drug for inflammatory bowel disease enters trials; more.
Jury Hands Down $2.25 Billion Verdict In Bayer Roundup Cancer Case
Separately, health tech company Philips will not sell new sleep apnea devices in the U.S. as it works to comply with an FDA settlement. Also: The FDA approved Dupixent to treat younger children with allergic esophagus inflammation; the U.K. will ban disposable vapes; and more.
Texas Democrats Align On Abortion As They Battle To Unseat GOP’s Ted Cruz
Democratic challengers to Sen. Ted Cruz are trying to earn the support of organized labor advocates, with abortion, guns, and border issues central to their efforts, the Austin American-Statesman says. NPR also reports that House Democratic candidates are focusing on abortion in their campaigns.
Texas AG Presses A Georgia Clinic For Medical Records Of Texas Trans Youth
This is the second time Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is requesting private records of Texas transgender children who received gender care in another state, the Texas Tribune says. Also in the news: The VA hasn’t lived up to its gender care promises; religious trauma in LGBTQ+ Americans; and more.
After Years Of Silence On Opioid Crisis, US And China To Hold Talks This Week
The Washington Post says the meetings that begin Tuesday in Beijing are a critical step forward since November, when China opened lines of communication on the topic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Care Experts Worry Over Sale Of US Helium Stockpile
Health supply chain experts worry over Thursday’s sale by the U.S. government of the Federal Helium Reserve. The rare gas is critical for making MRI machines work. Also in the news: what to know about ordering medication from overseas; C. diff risks from antibiotics and reflux drugs; more.
Real-World Impact Of HPV Vaccine Shown In Cervical Cancer Study
A new study out of Scotland, dubbed historic for its impact, showed that there were no cervical cancer cases for women born between 1988 and 1996 who were fully vaccinated against HPV when young. Meanwhile, in the U.S. a study shows cervical cancer deaths rising in low-income populations.
During Alabama Nitrogen Execution, Prisoner Struggled For 2 Minutes
The execution of Kenneth Smith put the U.S. at the forefront of a debate on the death penalty, the AP says. The controversial nitrogen gas method saw Smith appear to make seizure-like movements and struggle against his restraints. Also in the news: syphilis, drug price gouging, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on Obamacare, organ donation, vitamins, diphtheria, expensive toilets, and more.
Viewpoints: Why Do We Know So Little About Long Covid?; Biden Was Right About Obamacare
Editorial writers tackle long covid, “Bidencare,” affordability of health care, and more.
Bankruptcies Soared Among Health Care Companies Last Year
News outlets round up a host of stories on the financial pressures currently facing health care systems, hospitals, Medicare insurance providers, and pharmacy giants.
Senators Propose Medicare Hospital Incentives To Relieve Drug Shortages
The Senate Finance Committee released a paper Thursday that floats multiple legislative proposals for fixing the current national crisis over prescription drug shortages, including bonuses to hospitals that take steps to fend off shortfalls. Separately, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging the White House to take steps to tackle Medicare Advantage overpayments and denials.
Texas’ Rape Pregnancy Data Show Hollowness Of Governor’s Promise
The Houston Chronicle says new data of an estimated 26,000 rape-related pregnancies in Texas since it enforced an abortion ban is drawing attention to Gov. Greg Abbott’s vow to “eliminate rape.” In Iowa, a new bill would allow medical providers to refuse any care that violates their beliefs.
Snapchat Moves To Support Bill Protecting Young Social Media Users
Snapchat’s owner is publicly supporting the Kids Online Safety Act. Politico says it’s the first big tech platform to do so. Meanwhile, a study has identified social withdrawal as a behavioral risk factor for teen suicide. Separate research found teens from large families may have worse mental health.
CDC Warns Health Providers To Watch For Measles Cases
An increased number of measles cases imported from abroad have triggered the CDC’s new warning. In the U.K. a measles outbreak has seen 216 cases in one region alone since October—in 2022 there were just 53. Separately, research shows covid during pregnancy can cause health issues in babies.
Cardiologists Suggest Health Records Should Note Gender Identity
Since little is known about unique health challenges LGBTQ+ people face, Stat says, researchers are pushing for health systems to record patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to boost data collection. Also in the news: Medicare Advantage data transparency issues.